Statement made on 02 June 2010 by Senator Joyce Fairbairn
Hon. Joyce Fairbairn:
Honourable senators, it is with sadness but fond memories that I listened last week as Senator Lowell Murray paid tribute to an old friend, the late Honourable Martha Bielish. Senator Bielish entered this chamber in 1979 as the first female member of the Senate representing my beloved province of Alberta. She was also proud to be the first woman of Ukrainian heritage to serve as a senator.
Martha Bielish was an inspired choice of then Prime Minister Joe Clark. She followed the legacy of the Famous Five — Albertan women who fought with great vigour in 1929 to open the doors of this chamber so that women could have the same opportunity as men. Equality has grown in the footsteps of Martha.
During Martha's years in this place, she enthusiastically brought to our attention concerns on agricultural issues and the needs of transportation and communication for those far away from the centre of Canada. Senator Martha Bielish led the way in creating opportunities for women at the forefront of communication in this country.
As we both came from rural, agricultural areas based in communities in Alberta, when I entered this place almost 26 years ago, as the second woman senator from Alberta, Martha held out her hand to me. She served as my mentor and friend and urged me to speak up, to give a fair chance to rural people who needed to be supported, then and now.
Martha was a hard worker with a great sense of kindness and good spirit. She will always be fondly remembered and respected by those of us who knew her here, by her family and friends, and the women who have followed in her footsteps.
We will miss you, Martha.